Finally you can get rid of your discolored, cracked fungal toenails or onychomycosis with the latest laser advances. Lasers are used each day for cosmetic procedures treating people with safe light energy. There is no x-ray type radiation involved.

Are you tired of your unsightly nails? Do you want to avoid strong medications that can cause liver damage? Are you tired of liquids and creams that are time consuming to apply with minimal results?

While there are several laser products available, Dr. Marc Katz, a Tampa podiatrist, has done his homework. Before jumping into various technologies, he felt the need to research each possibility and find the best, most effective solution for his patients, not the most popular and best marketed treatment.

He rejected Pinpointe lasers early for several reasons. These lasers are merely a laser designed for dental procedures with modifications to capture a new market, toenails. So the design and treatment is less than optimal. The Pinpointe has a small spot size that can lead to a problem known as stacking. Stacking comes from overlapping of the laser beam in the same area possibly leading to burns and damage. Small spot size can also lead to missed areas of treatment. Dr. Katz also did not like the fact that the treatment is performed with minimal control of the beam distance and this leads to inconsistent treatments with poorly controlled outcomes. Additionally, the beam was not accompanied by cooling to avoid surrounding tissue damage. The current single treatment with Pinpointe has also become problematic. There is increasing evidence that to be effective, two or even three treatments are necessary and best for the patient.

Initially, a comparison was made between the Pinpointe laser and a new laser entering the market. With increasing research,different promising options became clear that combined superior treatment and safety features. The new laser entering the market used costly disposable attachments that were not environmentally friendly. This added significant cost to the doctor and patient and had no advantages to warrant the increased cost. In addition, Katz was in search of a company with a track record and history of stability.

As research proceeded, Dr. Katz liked the Cooltouch CT3 Plus Zoom laser, one of the most advanced lasers on the market today with a track record. The Cooltouch offers various types of skin treatments for many conditions. Dr. Katz points out that toenails are simply modified skin, so the Cooltouch laser is a perfect fit. He also liked the higher wavelength of the beam and feels that the hard thick nail can be more safely penetrated and treated with this different wavelength. In addition there are added features that improve the appearance of the nail by resurfacing, similar to skin resurfacing and rejuvenation. This is strictly a Cooltouch feature.

The CoolTouch CT3Plus CoolBreeze produces 1320nm laser energy that is specifically absorbed by water and water associated with collagen in the tissues of the nail matrix. The laser is so sophisticated that it can detect and reach the proper target temperature set by the doctor leading to death of the fungus. The treatment then stops instantly and then the nail is cooled with a spray. This allows for fungal death without damaging the skin or the nail growth plate. Cooltouch’s impeccable safety results from its incorporating pulsed cooling and real-time temperature feedback into its treatments. In addition, the CoolBreeze Handpiece boasts an adjustable spot size from 3 mm to 10 mm allowing for adjustments based on nail size for most accuracy. Other lasers currently being used do not incorporate these important features for patients leading to less desirable outcomes and fewer safety features. The Cooltouch laser can be controlled and the treatment temperature to kill the fungus can occur automatically while incorporating safety. Each patient can receive a customized treatment leading to the best possible outcome.

Dr. Katz notes that other lasers take 30 minutes for treatment compared to the more effective Cooltouch which only takes about 15 minutes. Dr. Katz recommends 2-3 treatments and feels that this is extremely important. There are different growth phases of the nail and fungus and the best results occur when the patient receives at least 2 treatments. The cost of 2-3 treatments with the Cooltouch is usually the same or less compared to one treatment with the Pinpointe laser and compared to newer lasers entering the market. The CoolTouch does not rely on costly disposable items that inflate the price. This certainly benefits the patient.

Dr. Katz feels that the CoolTouch laser is superior to all other advancements for fungal toenails. However, patients need to follow a comprehensive maintenance regimen to prevent recurrence of the toenail infection. He also notes that while success rates are high, no treatment can guarantee success all of the time. Dr. Katz recommends that you consult with your doctor about results and ways to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Katz has performed many laser procedures to date and continues to research ways to take the standard laser protocol to the next level for his patients. Dr. Katz has developed his own advanced technique with the CoolTouch laser to improve the success of treatments. There are many variables in a treatment. The fungus is destroyed by heat and also by exposure to mid-infrared light. When settings are optimized this light causes inactivation of the genetics or DNA of the fungus. Dr. Katz has developed his own unique treatment protocol, to take advantage of this fungus inactivation, adding great benefit for the patient.

All of the lasers mentioned here have been FDA cleared for podiatry, dermatology and general surgery use. So they are appropriate for toenail treatments if proven worthy by your doctor. Author Resource:- Dr. Marc Katz is a Tampa podiatrist that specializes in advanced technologies and treatment for his patients. In addition, Dr. Katz provides compassionate care for all foot problems. http://www.vibranttampatoenails.comhttp://www.notoenailfungus.com